SIX people were taken to hospital after a school bus and a van were involved in a head-on collision.

Among the injured were two 13-year-old passengers on a mini-coach taking students home from Abbeygate College, Saighton, who were treated for whiplash injuries and minor lacerations.

The van driver suffered head injuries in Tuesday's accident on Chapel Lane, Bruera.

His female passenger was also hurt. A three-year-old boy passenger in the van escaped injury.

A total of 18 pupils, aged nine to 17, were on board the Wrexham-bound service which is contracted by the school. All were assessed at the scene with some suffering shock and minor bruises. The 43-year-old woman coach driver needed treatment for suspected neck injuries.

The Countess of Chester Hospital was put on standby during the incident.

'They were very well disciplined. Many were on mobile phones to their parents,' she said.

Teachers were quick to arrange alternative transport for the children. Most were taken back to the school to await their relieved parents.

The crash, at about 4.10pm, was on a bend and a bridge. Squally conditions made visibility poor.

Police closed the road in both directions.

Fire crews had to release the 30-year-old van driver. He is understood to have suffered head and leg injuries, although his condition is not life-threatening.

His 21-year-old female companion, who had back and neck injuries, was taken out on a spinal board. She and the child were both taken to hospital as a precaution.

Headteacher Edward Mitchell said the crash was so close to school his staff could see blue flashing lights and dashed to the scene. He spoke to the two injured pupils by telephone the following day and they were 'fine'.

'They were discharged and are both at home,' he said. Other pupils returned to school the next day. Mr Mitchell said everyone had remained remarkably calm after the incident.

He added: 'One or two had slight bruises. four of the girls were able to look after the child from the van.

'Staff were very impressed by the behaviour of all the children who were extremely calm in the circumstances.'

Mr Mitchell accepted the weather was 'pretty bad' but did not know the cause of the accident.

Sally Evans, office manager at Wrexham-based coach company GHA Coaches, said the driver, from the Wrexham area, was recovering at home after being released from hospital on Tuesday.

She said: 'She's got cuts and bruises and is a bit shocked. She's resting at home.'

Mersey Regional Ambulance spokesman Andrew Molyneux said: 'None of the injuries was life-threatening. It could have been worse. Everyone was traumatised.'